I have a slightly updated version of this story on my website.
It was a brutally hot August afternoon in Norman, Oklahoma. Everyone was rustling around to and from classes. Campus was chirping and students were in a hurry. Really, everyone just wanted to get in the nice air conditioning, even if that meant spending an hour and a half in Zoology lecture. Meanwhile, Rama was sitting in the Beta dining room with his new pledge brother. His brother mentioned how he had not yet walked around to look at all the other fraternities and sororities (some might call this a “frat lap”). So, with their pledge trainer’s consent, the two brothers ventured out on to Greek row. They walked all around. They made their way down to South Greek and looped back up to North Greek where their house was. All of the lawns were filled with boys and girls. This time of the year means the first round of dating parties are just around the corner. For freshmen like Rama, this is a scary concept because he wants to go to all of these parties but he does not know any girls to invite him. He had heard through the grapevine of a girl named Sita. She was a new Theta that was looking for an eligible date for their upcoming date party. Rama thought this might be his chance. Both Rama and Sita were legacies of their respective chapters and their houses were just down the street from each other. Plus, they both had super weird names. It was perfect! Rama just had to get Sita to notice him. Rama and his brother were almost back to their house. They were passing the Theta lawn where Sita and her sisters were sunbathing. Rama made an effort to get her attention by tripping right in front of her. He looked up and the two of them locked eyes. From that moment on, Rama and Sita were inseparable. And most importantly, they each had dates locked in for the first round of date parties!
It was a brutally hot August afternoon in Norman, Oklahoma. Everyone was rustling around to and from classes. Campus was chirping and students were in a hurry. Really, everyone just wanted to get in the nice air conditioning, even if that meant spending an hour and a half in Zoology lecture. Meanwhile, Rama was sitting in the Beta dining room with his new pledge brother. His brother mentioned how he had not yet walked around to look at all the other fraternities and sororities (some might call this a “frat lap”). So, with their pledge trainer’s consent, the two brothers ventured out on to Greek row. They walked all around. They made their way down to South Greek and looped back up to North Greek where their house was. All of the lawns were filled with boys and girls. This time of the year means the first round of dating parties are just around the corner. For freshmen like Rama, this is a scary concept because he wants to go to all of these parties but he does not know any girls to invite him. He had heard through the grapevine of a girl named Sita. She was a new Theta that was looking for an eligible date for their upcoming date party. Rama thought this might be his chance. Both Rama and Sita were legacies of their respective chapters and their houses were just down the street from each other. Plus, they both had super weird names. It was perfect! Rama just had to get Sita to notice him. Rama and his brother were almost back to their house. They were passing the Theta lawn where Sita and her sisters were sunbathing. Rama made an effort to get her attention by tripping right in front of her. He looked up and the two of them locked eyes. From that moment on, Rama and Sita were inseparable. And most importantly, they each had dates locked in for the first round of date parties!
A Modern Day Castle: Beta Theta Pi (Wikimedia)
Author's Note: My story is a based on the PDE Ramayana version of "Sita." In the original, Rama and Lakshmana (his brother) were wandering the streets. People all around were admiring the noble princes, thinking they would be rather suitable for young princess, Sita. Both Sita and Rama were avatars of gods. Later on, Sita was walking in a garden with her maids when one of them noticed the two young men. She told Sita of their nobleness. Rama overheard and lifted his head. The two locked eyes and instantly fell in love. They both then prayed for each other's hand. My story is a modern, satirical twist on the story. It takes place in Norman. Instead of a prince and princess, Rama and Sita are new members of Greek life. Instead of avatars of gods, they are legacies of their houses.
Bibliography. "Sita" from PDE Ramayana by Laura Gibbs. Web Source.
Wow, Logan! I loved your story and how you turned Rama and Sita's meeting into one at OU and at Theta ;) What made you decide to have them meet on Theta's lawn? I really liked how you had him fall in front of Sita to get her attention, it was funny. I also enjoyed the picture you posted to show a modern day castle because Beta is definitely a castle after it's remodel. I wonder what they're first date party together was like. You did a great job retelling this story. Rama and Sita are very important in the Ramayana so their meeting is a very important part of their story. This is only their beginning they go on through a long exile together. It would be interesting to see what their relationship would be like through college together.
ReplyDeleteWoah Logan! I really loved how you wrote this story! I enjoyed the fact that you put it on the OU campus and placed Rama and Sita in Greek houses! You even put a little bit of back story about OU culture such as the zoology lecture and “frat laps” in there, which I thought was amusing. I've never heard of that or thought of that before so it was interesting to read! I was wondering what made you choose those specific houses to put them in?? I was also thinking if Lakshman found anyone (a date) to go with? Haha. The twists you put on the story are great. I was also wondering how this story would be different if Lakshman or someone else had ended up with Sita; would Ram fight for her or let it slide? I really liked this story though, and good luck on the rest of them throughout the semester!
ReplyDeleteLogan, I also have been using my time here at OU to help write my stories. I think maybe you might of had this happen to you at some point maybe? If not then I hope this story does transfer to you. I agree with you that Rama and Sita are different names and I like how you transferred them to this story setting.
ReplyDeleteHey Logan! As a sorority girl myself, the title of this story immediately caught my eye. Honestly, I'm very impressed with the creativity! I think giving them a modern Greek backstory is something you could really run with. I'd like to see more to the story, though. I realize with time constraints, that might be difficult, but I would have liked to see the two converse and really meet each other, and perhaps see them go to the date party! Other than that, I enjoyed the casual beginning, with Rama just chilling with his frat bros. It really sets a contrast from his usual warrior-like self! Perhaps he can slay the demons of college life rather than ACTUAL demons. I thought the descriptive words at the beginning were also very nice, especially the comment about escaping the heat with a zoology lecture. I can't wait to see what more you come up with! I would love to see more descriptions like the intro to this episode!
ReplyDeleteWow, Logan! I really loved your rendition of this story. It was really interesting and funny! I think your decision to make Rama and Sita members of Greek life makes the story much more accessible and relatable to a college student. I really liked the way you described them finding each other, too - it's a very "college" thing, so I thought it added a very modern character to the story. I loved it, overall! I'm looking forward to reading more of your work in the future!
ReplyDeleteLogan, it was a really good idea to situate this story on OU's campus. This way, your readers can easily relate to the setting thst you are providing for them. You also have the sorority and fraternity sub setting, and while not all of your readers may be familiar with these kinds of events, it was very easy to keep up with. The one suggestion that I have would be to break this story up into multiple paragraphs so that the format flows better. Good job on this.
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